Scratched DVD?

[naddie]

Is scratched DVDs from the LCE box a common thing? I just exchanged my copy of the LCE, and the 2nd one was just as bad. If it was a small scratch I wouldn't care, but it covers a good portion of the disc, and is the worse kind - circular.

I have never asked before, but what is the policy of disc replacement (as long as you can prove you own the game) for most companies? What about 3DR/HH?

[brock2621]

Hey naddie,

I opened my Prey and i didn't have a single scratch on it but if you want to prevent your DVD from acquiring more i have a solution that i use :)

http://www.d-skin.nl/DSKDSKIN.jpg

http://www.kurditgroup.org/news/images/d_skin.jpg

It's Called D-Skin. They work wonderfully. I got a pack of 40 of them and i put them on every single game i buy. Only one game has not worked with it. They were some of the best inventions of the past 5 years. NEwayz, i would go pick some up. You can get them at Walmart, Comp USA, Best Buy etc.

[naddie]

Ooh! how much are they in such a pack? I haven't seen it at Best Buy. I think they are worth it for the game collectors. :)

I'd still like to know if I can get a non-scratched DVD exchanged though. I'm gonna have to go back to Best Buy again :(. I really wish they would have a dedicated CD case or even a sleve away from the abrasive metal. My idea was a felt (or soft) lining where the data side of the DVd would contact the metal surface.

As for some complaing that the rubber was too hard - actually, I think it helped prevented the DVD from being unplayable at least. Imagine if it was a soft foamy thing like GTA - it would have either fallen out during shipment, or grinded itself on the surface of the metal door! >_<

[brock2621]

They are around a dollar a piece for the 5 or 10 pack but if you buy the 40 pack it's like 60 cents a piece.

[brock2621]

Yeah... i agree. I actually didn't mind the rubbar thing. When i get game i always take them out of the box and store the boxes with the manuals and everything in a closet. I then put D-skins on the games and put them in jewel cases next to my computer. I would hate to have to open the boxes over and over to get the games out i wanted to play.

[naddie]

Yeah... i agree. I actually didn't mind the rubbar thing. When i get game i always take them out of the box and store the boxes with the manuals and everything in a closet. I then put D-skins on the games and put them in jewel cases next to my computer. I would hate to have to open the boxes over and over to get the games out i wanted to play.

I do the same thing. Every one of my game CDs have not a scratch. Prey is the only DVD that has them, and I didn't do it, lol.

[brock2621]

Well, PM george and maybe just ask for the DVD exchange so you wont have to send your whole package back. Just ask if you can send the dvd in a jewel case in a manilla envelope or something. Also, check walmart first for the D-skins, they have always had them wherever i've gone.

[naddie]

Thanks. I just PMed him. I hope he doesn't just shrug it off. Am I neurotic for wanting a non-scratched DVD, even though the one I have is playable?

I'm not concerned if it was a light scratch from outside-in. But circular scratches that follow the laser path are what will make it unreadable in some drives, while others will. A backup copy probably won't work since it's probably have some kind of copy protection.

Thanks for the responses, brock. I guess you and I are the only ones concerned about scratched media, huh? :)

[George Broussard]

Thanks. I just PMed him. I hope he doesn't just shrug it off. Am I neurotic for wanting a non-scratched DVD, even though the one I have is playable?

I'm not concerned if it was a light scratch from outside-in. But circular scratches that follow the laser path are what will make it unreadable in some drives, while others will. A backup copy probably won't work since it's probably have some kind of copy protection.

Thanks for the responses, brock. I guess you and I are the only ones concerned about scratched media, huh? :)
We don't have anything to do with scratched disks. You'd need to return it to your retailer, or contact 2K about it. If the game works, then I wouldn't worry about it. I've swapped discs at EB before, and they are normally happy to do so.

[naddie]

I figured as much. Thanks for responding, George.

I guess I will take it back to Best Buy. It's readable on my brother's drive, but not on mine. I just installed it off his, and stuck the DVD in mine just for authentication (which works, since it doesn't need to read the rest of the DVD), but I don't want to use this workaround.

But a plug for Plextor - they rock. :) I have a cheaper NEC DVDRW, but it's a newer DL. The Plextor is an older DVdRW SL 8x writer.

[naddie]

Just got off the phone with 2K, (US Support Phone: 1-866-219-9839), and they are very aware of the issue. Retailers have been calling them regarding a significant amount of exchanges.

They pretty much took my name, email, and number, and will get back to me when they get it resolved. I was hoping for something speedier (such as an exchange right there and then), but oh well. In the mean time, I might go to another Best Buy - maybe they have a better batch there.

The person on the phone was saying they are looking into why it was getting scratched. I mentioned that there is nothing protecting the DVD from the metalic surface where it is mounted on. Appearently, 2K doesn't do the package design either. They have another 3rd party, and will look into their packing design and practices.

He even agreed that a Jewlcase would have been better, since most people will put the box on the shelf and still want to keep playing the game (ejecting it, putting it away only for a few hours, then putting it bck in the drive), so the nub-on-metal-box wasn't a good idea.

All in all, 2K is actually pretty responsive - a big surprise considering how big they have become (and offereing half a mil for DNF, lol).

[brock2621]

Sweet Nads :) (i just wanated to say that)

Well i'm sure they will fix it for you. I'm glad you got a hold of somebody. Sorry you got one of the bad ones. I wish you luck on your endeavour. Let me know what happens in the end. So are you going to be able to play prey at all?

[Nukkus]

mine has two minor circular scratches, but the game installed fine, so i guess o have nothin to worry about. i've put the disc in a slim cd case with a scan of the outer slipcase stuck in it.

[naddie]

I went back to Best Buy, and went through like 2 more of their LCEs. I felt bad that I was opening up new boxes, but I figure customers would probably have returned them anyways.

I finally found a good one! The box doesn't close though, but cust service let me have one of the good ones that I opened, lol.

here's the funny part: I found my GOOD DVD data-side up and loose in the inside of the box! When I saw it, I was like "oh shit, this is worse". But when I picked up the DVD, it was flawless! Weird, huh?

I am keeping it in a slim case inside the box! No rubber nub for YOU! *sticks in jewlcase*.

I started to play again from a few levels after the demo ended. I'm surprised, but I'm more than half done already. I'm on "Following Her".

I gotta get those CD slips. They look like they would do the trick.

[FuryVids]

these D_skins, would i use them on every disc that comes with a game.. such as a 5-6disc game...UT2004..or just the play disc???

[addict]

When I opened my tin the dvd was just kinda floppin around in there doin its own little thing. I couldn't believe that it wasn't in a case or anything, but nonetheless it was in perfect shape(thank god).

[darkclow]

We don't have anything to do with scratched disks. You'd need to return it to your retailer, or contact 2K about it. If the game works, then I wouldn't worry about it. I've swapped discs at EB before, and they are normally happy to do so.do they excahnge it at blockbuster has well i got my disc sctarched on the 360 i was about 2 play and it says unable to read please clean the disc and try again my brother told me that they dont exchange dvd's or games is that true?

[naddie]

But when it is defective they should.

[ZaphodB]

If the D-Skin gets scratched, is it removable? How does it adhere to your dvd/cd, with a sticky substance, or like seran wrap (static-clingyness?) (cling-film for you uk-ers)?

[FuryVids]

its a thin piece of plastic that slides onto the disc... there is tabs that keep the disc inside...

back to my question, would i use them for all discs, or just play discs?

[naddie]

that is up to you, furyvids. I got the dvd, so my play disk is the only disk.

If you rarely use CD 2/3, and you have use for the d_skins elsewhere, then i dont see why u would need to protect them.

if you are paranoid like me, i probably would protect all CDs, no matter the costs (the discs that i care about anyway - not all of my music CDs are worth protecting, lol).

[FuryVids]

yeah true..i figure id install the game and keep the play disc in one of those visors near my desk with a d_skin on them...
put the extra discs awayso they dont get messed up..